Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2005

The World Heritage Centre has received letters from Lithuania citizens calling attention to a ‘Detailed Plan’ for Vilnius, which if approved, will have a serious impact on the Old City of Vilnius. Some of the issues raised are destruction of green spaces, development of high-rise buildings and changes to the historic character of houses.

The World Heritage Centre arranged a meeting with the Permanent Delegation of Lithuania and ICOMOS on 22 April 2005 to discuss these issues. The Permanent Delegation explained that, in response to the preparation of the ‘Detailed Plan’ for Vilnius, Lithuania invited three independent teams of experts to review the plan. According to the recommendations of these experts, this plan is being revised taking into account the importance of Vilnius and respecting its World Heritage status. Furthermore, on 20 April 2005, a new Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage has entered into force, ensuring further protection to the cultural heritage of Lithuania.

A number of high-rise buildings have however already been constructed opposite the Old Town of Vilnius, outside the buffer zone. Attention has also been drawn to the wooden heritage in the construction areas where a number of historic wooden buildings are being demolished.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2005

Adopted

Draft Decision

29 COM 7B.79

Old Town of Vilnius (Lithuania)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29.COM/7B.Rev,

2. Noting with concern the information provided concerning the project for the construction of high-rise buildings located in the vicinity of the Old Town of Vilnius which will have a considerable visual impact on the property,

3. Regrets the demolition of the wooden heritage located in these construction areas which although not part of the World Heritage designated area, nevertheless form part of the cultural heritage of Vilnius,

4. Strongly urges the State Party of Lithuania to revise these projects to ensure the maintenance of the outstanding universal value and the integrity of the World Heritage property and reminds the State Party of its commitment to the implementation of the Convention,

5. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2006 adetailed report on the development projects, the overall town planning and administrative provisions in place to ensure the adequate preservation of the property for examination by the Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006).

2.Noting with concern the information provided concerning the project for the construction of high-rise buildings located in the vicinity of the Old Town of Vilnius which will have a considerable visual impact on the property,

3.Regrets the demolition of the wooden heritage located in these construction areas which although not part of the World Heritage designated area, nevertheless form part of the cultural heritage of Vilnius,

4.Strongly urges the authorities of Lithuania to revise these projects to ensure the maintenance of the outstanding universal value and the integrity of the World Heritage property and reminds the authorities of their commitment to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention,

5.Requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on the development projects, the overall town planning and administrative provision in place to ensure the adequate preservation of the property to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2006 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session in 2006.

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).